Can someone please answer me why Hayden is in on passing downs?

[Idgit]

You have to give it to him about being healthy ... The others simply can't stay healthy .. LOL

What is it about Hayden and Arkin that neither of them ever got hurt? They're like iron men in our lineup.

 

[Zekeats]

I trust Rod Marinelli......the man knows what he is doing.....He puts the best players he can on the field ...and does the best with what he has got....if that is Hayden, McClain or any other ...... there is not enough talent on the D to worry about why Hayden is on the field......

I think Rod gets a little bit to much love from the fans around here. Wasn't he part of the coaching staff last year that put us dead last in the league? Wasn't he the head coach of the only 0-16 team in NFL history?

 

[Vanilla2]

Because we made no realistic attempt to upgrade, unless you want to pretend we did with McClain.

What happens if mcclains signing turns out to be a good one?

There's Just as much of a chance as it being a bad signing.

 

[Alexander]

What happens if mcclains signing turns out to be a good one?

There's Just as much of a chance as it being a bad signing.

Based on what? His history as a journeyman player? It is not a lot different than Hayden's track record before joining the Cowboys.

 

[CF74]

Because all we have are a bunch of broken parts around him and he's the only one healthy enough to play...

 

[Vanilla2]

Based on what? His history as a journeyman player? It is not a lot different than Hayden's track record before joining the Cowboys.

What about marinelli's effect on a player?

Does that count it are we just going on a players past performance alone.

I'm not saying he's definitely gonna be good but at least I can wait until I see a players impact or lack there of before making my judgment.

 

[Alexander]

What about marinelli's effect on a player?

What about it? He tried in Chicago with no names and it never got truly effective until they added special players like Peppers.

Does that count it are we just going on a players past performance alone.

If he showed he had rag tag DLs and success, it might. This reputation as some miracle worker is overblown, taking a good coach into a legendary one, thinking he has no boundaries or restrictions based on what he has to work with.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Based on what? His history as a journeyman player? It is not a lot different than Hayden's track record before joining the Cowboys.

Point taken.

The differences I see between the two players are as follows:

-McClain's worst season by far was his rookie year, that was close to be as inept as Hayden was last season. Since then McClain hasn't been a car-wreck. He hasn't been a world-beater but not a car wreck. If you wanted to call him a JAG based on his '12 and '13 then that would be accurate.

-Hayden has been awful season in and season out. He's never gotten to JAG level period.

-The Cowboys had a change to study McClain... Hayden's signing was one of those "spur of the moment" things. The guy had been out of football for a year. At least McClain has managed to stay employed.

I would not be shocked in the least bit to find out that McClain is at least a couple steps better than Hayden...

That doesn't mean the spot shouldn't be targeted next offseason.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

What about marinelli's effect on a player?

Does that count it are we just going on a players past performance alone.

I'm not saying he's definitely gonna be good but at least I can wait until I see a players impact or lack there of before making my judgment.

If you're just going by past performance McClain has been a little better performer than Hayden... But who hasn't?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

True. He wasn't the sore spot vs. the Niners.

Crawford on the other hand...

What about Crawford? He was sore spot on Sunday?

 

[Idgit]

Point taken.

The differences I see between the two players are as follows:

-McClain's worst season by far was his rookie year, that was close to be as inept as Hayden was last season. Since then McClain hasn't been a car-wreck. He hasn't been a world-beater but not a car wreck. If you wanted to call him a JAG based on his '12 and '13 then that would be accurate.

-Hayden has been awful season in and season out. He's never gotten to JAG level period.

-The Cowboys had a change to study McClain... Hayden's signing was one of those "spur of the moment" things. The guy had been out of football for a year. At least McClain has managed to stay employed.

I would not be shocked in the least bit to find out that McClain is at least a couple steps better than Hayden...

That doesn't mean the spot shouldn't be targeted next offseason.

I admittedly haven't seen any tape on McClain, and I assumed the team considered him a legitimate upgrade at the 1-tech when they signed him to a 3 year deal above the league minimum. But it's hard to expect too much when they guy's a third round pick his drafting team gave up on after two years, and who's played on 4 NFL teams in his short time in the league.
That said, he got a lot of positive attention early in the offseason, and that was probably for a reason.

I'm not as down on Hayden, though, as everybody else seems to be. He's our weakest player on defense, probably, and somebody I thought we'd upgrade off the roster during the offseason, but he's a high-effort guy who's made a decent career for himself after coming in as a low round pick. He stays healthy and available and helped us out last year when we were pretty desperate for some stability in the middle of a very bad DL. I have a hard time not liking players like that.

 

[Idgit]

If you're just going by past performance McClain has been a little better performer than Hayden... But who hasn't?

What am I missing. He looks like he's got a career 21 tackles and a sack, right?

 

[Alexander]

-Hayden has been awful season in and season out. He's never gotten to JAG level period.

Yet Marinelli has given him a nickname and never indicates a lack of faith in him. Yet people expect that Marinelli is some miracle worker yet fail to explain his loyalty to this player.

At no time, before or after the signing of McClain was there any indication that they did that with any sort of intent of getting him off the team.

It is like people do not want to admit that he might just be a player Marinelli likes and is in no rush to replace.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

What am I missing. He looks like he's got a career 21 tackles and a sack, right?

The little I've seen him he seems to be able to hold the point of attack better than Hayden.

McClain isn't the world's best #1 DT option... He just looks better than Hayden IMO.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Yet Marinelli has given him a nickname and never indicates a lack of faith in him. Yet people expect that Marinelli is some miracle worker yet fail to explain his loyalty to this player.

At no time, before or after the signing of McClain was there any indication that they did that with any sort of intent of getting him off the team.

It is like people do not want to admit that he might just be a player Marinelli likes and is in no rush to replace.

Obviously Marinelli likes the guy.

But sooner or later numbers are going to force the decision on Hayden.

Fortunately for Hayden up till this point (from the start of training camp until the 2nd game of the season) the DT position was pretty much him, Bishop and Coleman.

Now you're adding McClain and Melton to the mix. And when you're having to carry Spencer at the DE spot, which necessitates having an extra DE on the roster.

Again, sooner or later the bell will toll for Hayden.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

What about Crawford? He was sore spot on Sunday?

He didn't play well.

 

[Frosty]

I think Rod gets a little bit to much love from the fans around here. Wasn't he part of the coaching staff last year that put us dead last in the league? Wasn't he the head coach of the only 0-16 team in NFL history?

Rod doesn't get a pass....but it takes time and the right players to transition a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 Tampa 2. The GM didn't help. Did the GM go out and get any playmakers to help out....nope....ever wonder why...Jerry loves to spend money!!!! There was a reason DWARE and Hatcher were let go... IMO they are cleaning up the Salary Cap to make a run at some young, dominate defensive playmakers that will be available in 2015.....fans will panic this year, but I believe the Cowboys have a plan....3-13, 5-11 is a good thing.....and thats why Jerry refuses to fire Garrett...wants to see the plan through....

Can you handle a 3-13, 5-11 season..... I can.....its what this teams needs.... in 2015 sign a young defensive playmaker then use a Top 5 or 10 draft pick to get a player(s) like a, Robert Quinn, Sheldon Richardson, Khalil Mack, JJ Watt...(without the huge salary cap hit).... a top 10 pick plus a playmaker in FA....I will take that in a heart beat....... I can handle a 3-13 season....can the fans....IDK .......it is what this team needs for future success....

 

[Zekeats]

Rod doesn't get a pass....but it takes time and the right players to transition a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 Tampa 2. The GM didn't help. Did the GM go out and get any playmakers to help out....nope....ever wonder why...Jerry loves to spend money!!!! There was a reason DWARE and Hatcher were let go... IMO they are cleaning up the Salary Cap to make a run at some young, dominate defensive playmakers that will be available in 2015.....fans will panic this year, but I believe the Cowboys have a plan....3-13, 5-11 is a good thing.....and thats why Jerry refuses to fire Garrett...wants to see the plan through....

Can you handle a 3-13, 5-11 season..... I can.....its what this teams needs.... in 2015 sign a young defensive playmaker then use a Top 5 or 10 draft pick to get a player(s) like a, Robert Quinn, Sheldon Richardson, Khalil Mack, JJ Watt...(without the huge salary cap hit).... a top 10 pick plus a playmaker in FA....I will take that in a heart beat....... I can handle a 3-13 season....can the fans....IDK .......it is what this team needs for future success....

One top ten pick is not going to turn this team around. See Claiborne.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He didn't play well.

Hmmm.....that's interesting. I saw him I thought make a few plays out there but I can't sit here and say I saw all of his snaps or noticed them on TV.

 

[Vintage]

When the Cowboys eventually rebuild the DL to an even average NFL level, Hayden won't be on the team. He's a scrub with no upside.

A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from you?

I bet he hangs out the passenger side of his best friend's ride, too.